C.C.C. probe begins

Ballyhogue adamant game wasn't played

Wexford G.A.A. officials have commenced their investigation into the match that allegedly never took place.

The investigation surrounds the Ballyhogue versus Clongeen All-County Football League Division 5B game, around which there has been so much controversy.

The Wexford G.A.A. Office not alone received a text result for the game, which is the format followed by all match referees, but they also subsequently received a full referee's report of the Division 5B game.

Following information received by Wexford G.A.A., it appears the match did not take place though which has subsequently led to an investigation being launched.

The County Competitions Controls Committee (C.C.C.C.) met last night (Monday) to consider the reports which they received.

Chairman of the committee, Aidan O'Leary, said reports had been passed over to them by the G.A.A. Office.

He said they would begin their investigation into the matter commencing on Monday night (last night). He added that they would report back their findings once the investigation is complete.

However, Ballyhogue team mentor, Denis Kennedy, is adamant the game did not take place.

'We (Ballyhogue) had 18 players for the game on that evening in Bree as our first team had played earlier,' he told this newspaper.

'Clongeen travelled, but only had eleven or twelve players. We waited around as Clongeen had hoped a few more players would arrive, but this did not happen,' he added.

'The game did not go ahead. We had our team list written out which we handed over to the match referee.

'I am not aware of the controversy as I have not read the paper yet. I presumed we would have received a walkover. I don't know of any more,' he said.

Clongeen club Secretary, Donal Whelan, said he was not in a position to comment.

'I am not really in a position to talk about it. This is the first contact I've had relating to the game. I cannot say if it was played. We will await the investigation,' he said.

Now one must await the finding of the C.C.C.C. to see what action if any will be taken regarding the game that never was after a report which we carried exclusively last week, and which also captured the imagination of the national media.